Pollock’s England Debut as Itoje Hits Century Cap

Pollock Earns First England Start as Itoje Hits 100-Cap Milestone Against Ireland

England are set to face a formidable challenge from Ireland in their upcoming Six Nations clash, with a significant shake-up in the starting lineup. Young gun Henry Pollock will make his highly anticipated first start for England at number eight, a move that signals a strong vote of confidence from the coaching staff. This pivotal fixture also marks a monumental occasion for veteran lock Maro Itoje, who is poised to earn his 100th cap for his country, a testament to his enduring presence and impact on the international stage.

The back row sees further adjustments, with Tom Curry promoted from the bench to join the starting XV. Ben Earl will shift to openside flanker, completing a dynamic and potent forward unit. In the backline, Tommy Freeman has been repositioned to the wing, making way for Ollie Lawrence to return at outside centre. This reshuffling sees Tom Roebuck omitted from the matchday 23. Henry Arundell, who avoided a ban following a red card in the previous match against Scotland, has been selected to start again, injecting pace and unpredictability into the attack.

The reserve options in the backline have also been refined. Jack van Poortvliet and Marcus Smith are named on the bench to provide cover, as Ben Spencer and Fin Smith are consequently dropped from the squad. The forward contingent on the bench remains robust, with six forwards selected in reserve. Notably, this includes Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill, both of whom have featured prominently in England’s recent outings, having started five of the last six matches.

Head coach Steve Borthwick expressed his team’s anticipation for the upcoming encounter. “We’re expecting a huge contest at Allianz Stadium and we’re excited for it,” Borthwick commented. “We know the challenge Ireland will bring and we’ve selected a side that we believe has the right balance to meet it.”

Henry Pollock’s inclusion in the starting XV is a significant development. A tourist with the British and Irish Lions last year, Pollock has steadily built his England career since making his debut off the bench. He has accumulated seven caps as a substitute, notably scoring two tries on his debut against Wales in the final round of the 2025 championship. His elevation to the starting number eight jersey underscores his impressive development and potential.

The milestone match for Maro Itoje sees him join an elite group of England players to have reached 100 caps. He becomes only the ninth man in history to achieve this remarkable feat, following in the footsteps of his teammates Jamie George and George Ford, both of whom reached the landmark during the 2025 season. The 31-year-old lock has been an indispensable figure for England since his debut in the 2016 Six Nations, consistently featuring as a first-choice player under both Borthwick and his predecessor, Eddie Jones.

Borthwick lauded Itoje’s achievement, stating, “To reach 100 caps for England is a remarkable achievement and speaks volumes about Maro’s consistency and professionalism over many years. He leads through his actions every day, sets the standard for others and cares deeply about representing his country. We’re all incredibly proud of what he has achieved, and I know it will be a special day for him and his family.”

England’s recent performance saw a 31-20 defeat at Murrayfield, which ended a promising 12-match winning streak and dealt a considerable blow to their title aspirations. The team will be looking to bounce back strongly against a formidable Irish side. While England were defeated by Ireland in Dublin during last year’s Six Nations, they managed a narrow victory over Andy Farrell’s men on their last visit to Twickenham, courtesy of a match-winning drop goal from Marcus Smith.

England XV to Face Ireland at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham:

• Forwards:
  1. Ellis Genge
  2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
  3. Joe Heyes
  4. Maro Itoje (captain)
  5. Ollie Chessum
  6. Tom Curry
  7. Ben Earl
  8. Henry Pollock
• Backs:
  1. Alex Mitchell
  2. George Ford
  3. Henry Arundell
  4. Fraser Dingwall
  5. Ollie Lawrence
  6. Tommy Freeman
  7. Freddie Steward

Replacements:

• Forwards:
  1. Jamie George
  2. Bevan Rodd
  3. Trevor Davison
  4. Alex Coles
  5. Guy Pepper
  6. Sam Underhill
• Backs:
  1. Jack van Poortvliet
  2. Marcus Smith